Chapter Seven

A Plan for Capture

A few days later, a crowd gathered at the opera house to see the second attempt at a production of "The Pirates of Penzance". Before the show began, Scott came out on the stage to make an announcement: "Ladies and gentlemen, first I thank you for coming back to try seeing the show again. Second, I can assure you that this time, we should have no problems at all. Finally...it seems that Alana has...passed on. So...we will not have her tonight. However, please try not to worry. This time, our Mabel will be played by Miss Christine DeMarco. She is young...but she is a VERY skilled singer, and I'm sure you'll like her. So...without any further ado...we will begin our show."

And as it turned out, Scott had assumed correctly. When Christine sang as Mabel, her voice sounded so sweet and beautiful...so much, that people applauded quite loudly when she had finished a song. During the curtain call, Christine was given a great standing ovation.

Once again, however, no one had noticed Myotismon hiding in the shadows above the stage, looking down on his beautiful lover and smiling with pride...

Despite how well Christine had been trained, the good things Myotismon had declared he would make so, and how gentle he had been with Christine, Christine's family and fellow DigiDestined didn't believe that Myotismon said he would do some good things nor that he loved Christine. To them, it was utter nonsense, and they weren't buying it!

"We've GOT to get rid of Myotismon! But HOW?!" Brian complained, "Suggestions? Anyone?" "That's not the only problem: we can't let Christine know about it." Izzy reminded Brian, "If she finds out we're trying to destroy him, she'll interfere." "Not to mention that even if we do get the necessary items to get rid of vampires, we'd still need to get near him." Angelina pointed out. "True enough...that guy is fast!" Rex added. "I suggest we let him wither away and die." Joe said. Everyone looked at him funny. "...that made as much sense as asking someone to turn on a air conditioner because you feel cold!" Nick said in a dumbfounded manner, "Myotismon is a vampire! Hel-LO! Vampires can't die!" "Well, they can if they starve, right?" Erin asked. "I think that's true." Tai said, "But that still doesn't completely solve our problem. We've got to contain Myotismon...restrain him somehow." "If only we could catch him off guard." Scott suggested, "If we had just enough people...and Digimon...and if they had all the right tools, I think we could do it."

"Perhaps I could be of assistance." said a masculine voice with a think British accent. The gang turned to see a middle-aged man in a fine suit. "Oh...hello." Mimi said politely, "What do you suggest, Mr..." "Whitman...Charles Whitman, director of the Hollywood Opera." the man answered, "Now then...we are preparing for a production of 'Antony and Cleopatra'. If we were to cast your friend Miss DeMarco as Cleopatra, your vampire adversary would be certain to attend. The solution is rather simple: post law enforcers and soldiers all about the opera house and be sure they have the proper tools to destroy vampires. Surely then they can catch him and restrain him."

Everyone looked intrigued. "Say...that just might work!" T.K. exclaimed. "Yeah...and then you could capture him, the others lend you their powers, and then you shoot him!" Kari said to Gatomon. "A good idea!" Gatomon agreed, "Yes...we Digimon had better be as high as we can go in Digivolution." "Thank you, Charles." Scott said gratefully, "That sounds like a very good idea." "But remember, everyone: Christine must NOT know about this!" Matt reminded everyone.

"Christine! Guess what?!" Sora said excitedly, "The Hollywood Opera is putting on "Antony and Cleopatra'...and they want YOU to play Cleopatra!"

Christine gasped in amazement! "Are you serious?!" she asked ecstatically. Sora nodded. "Yes! So what do you say? Are you up for it?" "Oh, I sure am!" Christine cried happily, "This'll be a great way to put my voice training to the test! You tell the Hollywood Opera that I'm in!"

And when Christine practiced singing an aria, Charles was amazed. "Excellently done, my dear!" he praised, "I have certainly been right in choosing you for the role of Cleopatra!"

After auditions for the other roles and demanding rehearsals, the big night finally arrived. Christine was very excited as the time to perform drew closer. But she couldn't help but wonder what the deal was with all the police officers and soldiers. They were everywhere...they main hall, the auditorium, backstage, the dressing rooms, even the green room.

On her way to dressing room, Christine came near Charles and a lead SWAT member. "So you all know the plan." Charles was saying. "Yes, sir." said the officer, "We have officers and soldiers everywhere. Our vampire won't know what hit him." Christine gasped and ran up to them. "What is this all about?!" she asked in a rather angry voice. Both Charles and the officer looked at her in shock! They couldn't believe she was there at that moment. "Damn!" Charles cursed, "You were not supposed to know of this!" "Well, I know NOW! And it seems like that's good! Just what are you up to?!" "Simple, ma'am." the officer answered, "We're going to get rid of this vampire who's been haunting the place. Since you're starring in an opera, he's certain to attend AND to be caught off guard."

Christine gasped and looked at Charles in great anger. "Did you cast me as Cleopatra just so you could destroy my voice teacher, whom I happen to be in LOVE WITH?!" she asked fiercely. "Don't be an idiot!" snapped Scott, who had come up, "A vampire can NOT love another!" Christine puts her hands on her hips. "HA! I'd love to see you try to get Myotismon! He's too clever!" "Oh, no!" the officer contradicted, "We have officers and soldiers all over the place, all of them with vampire killing tools! And your Digimon pals...they're in on this, too! This Myotismon character is not getting out of this one!"

"YOU TRICKED ME! You guys are DISGUSTING!" Christine fumed. "Disgusting?! I'LL tell you what's disgusting: being told who to cast in a show and ending up with dead people for refusing! And I'm NOT going to have that again!" Scott said angrily. "Well, I'M not singing if you're planning to use me to kill my love!" Christine spat back, putting her foot down hard. Charles grabbed her by the collar and looked at her fiercely. "OH, YES, you are!" he said in fury, "I did not come this far to have to cancel this production because of a stubborn singer who cannot see danger! Now you GET YOURSELF to your dressing room and get ready, or we shall MAKE you!"

"My little girl...an opera star!" Lois said proudly as she helped her daughter get ready. Christine looked very beautiful. She wore a flowing, white dress with a golden collar set with rubies and sapphires. Golden manacles with emeralds adorned her wrists, and golden sandals were on her feet. Rings of gold set with different precious stones decorated Christine's fingers, and a golden tiara with the design of a cobra's head jutting out from the middle rested upon Christine's head.

But Lois noticed something: on her daughter's face was a look of great worry and sadness. "Why, honey...what's the matter? You look so sad and scared. I thought you'd be happy." she said. Christine shook her head. "How can I be excited...when casting me in this part...was a means of using me as a pawn in a game to capture Myotismon?" For a while, Lois had a look of shock on her face, for she wasn't happy about Christine finding that out. Then her shocked look died down, and she only said, "So...you found out. Somehow...I thought you might. But you must understand that this needs to be done because..." "No!" Christine cried, and tears came to her eyes. "I love him, Mom! Please...call off all the officers and troops! Don't hurt him!"

"Christine, Myotismon can't possibly love you." Lois contradicted, "Vampires cannot love, and Myotismon is a danger to us AND you. It's not right for him to do what he did just to make you happy. He's got toaccept the truth about the entertainment industry. If he can't, it's not good." "What he's done was something that could've easily been prevented!" Christine protested, "If Scott and Jana had just given me a chance, Jana and Alana wouldn't be dead right now! And Myotismon DOES love me! And I love him! Don't take away this happiness I finally have!"

Now Christine's tears found their way out. Seeing this, Lois lovingly hugged her daughter. "Oh, Christine..." she said in a sad but loving tone. Then Christine began to softly sing:

"Mother, I'm frightened.

Please...don't make me do this.

Mother, it scares me.

Don't put me through this ordeal by fire.

They'll kill him, I know.

We'll be parted forever.

They won't let him go.

What I once used to dream I now dread.

If they find him, his life will end.

And he'll never be there singing songs in my head.

He'll never be there singing songs in my head."

Lois looked as if she was about to cry herself. But it was with concern for Christine. "Oh, Christine..." she said again, and sang:

"Is there no way we can make you understand?

While he lives, he will hunt us till we're dead."

Christine didn't know what to say to that. Anything she could think of, she doubted her mother would listen to. Then Lois sighed and tried to encourage her daughter. "Christine..." she said gently, "...all hope is not lost. You are young. You have plenty of chances to find another...someone who will love you back and be safe around. And I'm convinced there IS another out there who is perfect for you. The day will come when you and he cross paths. You'll see...and you'll be glad you waited for him. Someday, you'll understand why this had to be...someday."

Having said this, Lois again lovingly hugged her daughter and left. Christine just sat there, looking into her mirror...again having a mixture of feelings: anger at the fact that she'd been tricked into being a pawn to capture Myotismon, sadness that no one would listen to reason from her, and fear that Myotismon would be captured and done away with. Understand? Not a chance! If there was anything Christine understood, it was that Myotismon was simply getting more judgment and hatred! Find another? Forget that! Christine knew her mother had been trying to give her a little hope, but Christine didn't want another. She wanted Myotismon. Didn't anybody understand that? It would appear not.

Christine began to feel nauseated, but she knew it wasn't because she was sick. She was aware that it was because of the fear and helplessness she was feeling...fear that Myotismon would be killed and that she would be powerless to protect him. And then a horrible guilt washed over her, for Christine knew that she would be putting Myotismon in danger if she sang! "Oh, Myotismon...I can't!" she heard herself say in great sadness and worry.

Bowing her head in despair, Christine began to pray: "Kind Autobots, Guardians of Freedom and Justice, please help us now. Don't let my love be taken away from me...please...protect him...please..." More tears slid out of Christine's eyes as she began to softly and mournfully sing:

"Twisted every way...

What answer can I give?

Am I to risk his life to win our chance to live?

Can I betray my lover who inspired my voice?

Does he become their prey?

Does he have any choice?

They'll kill without a thought and murder what is good.

I can't refuse to sing.

And yet, I wish I could.

Oh, gods! If I agree,

What horrors will I see

In this dreadful opera?!"

But no sooner had Christine finished, she heard that beautiful, haunting voice she loved to hear...the voice of her beloved Myotismon...tenderly singing in her mind:

"Christine, Christine, don't think all hope is gone.

If our foes think they'll capture me,

They are foolish."

Then it came to Christine: perhaps this was a chance that just needed to be taken. Yes, there were lots of people...not to mention high-level Digimon...against her and Myotismon, but he was still a very intelligent and clever Digimon. And the Autobots...surely they had seen that Myotismon truly loved Christine. They certainly hadn't allowed anyone to get to him, nor had they themselves tried to get rid of him. Yeah...they sure wouldn't let him get caught and hurt.

As Christine thought of these things, her stomach settled down and she found the courage she needed. Bravely, she stood up from her chair and headed for the stage.

Despite the fact that there were a ton of police officers and soldiers, they had all failed to spot a dark figure up on the roof of the opera house. Myotismon was there, and nobody noticed him at all. His cape caught the wind and flew behind him like a flag as he raised his arms and waved his hands gracefully about. At his command, a thick fog began to blanket the city of Los Angeles.

Myotismon smiled wickedly. "It's almost done!" he exclaimed softy, and began to laugh evilly. Then, in a louder tone, he added, "Soon now...not in fire or ice, but in fog...this world will be mine!" And he began to laugh again in an evil, maniacal manner!

All the DigiDestined sat down with the crowd in the auditorium and made themselves comfortable. Their Digimon stood nearby and were on full alert.

"Man...I hope Christine can get over this soon." Brian said. "Yeah...no doubt she'll be SO pissed after this is over. I mean, not even knowing about our plan..." Matt agreed. "Actually, she found out." Lois admitted. "Oh, NO!" Sora cried. "Aw, NOW we're in the meat grinder!" Tai said in exasperation. "Oh, no we're not! We WILL succeed!" T.K. declared, "There's no way we couldn't!" "And nobody worry. I talked to Christine. One day, she will understand that this had to be done. And she will realize that all hope is not lost for her. She will find REAL love." Lois assured everyone.

Brian looked at Lois. "You're right...and that real love is right here!" He pointed to himself. "What?" Lois asked, looked confused. Brian nodded. "I love Christine. I'm the one she needs." Lois shook her head. "Oh, Brian..." she said kindly, "...I appreciate that you want to help Christine. But it wouldn't be possible for you to be together. You can't stay in a relationship if you talk at someone instead of with that person. And that's something you are unable to help." "No...that's not true." Brian said with determination, "I CAN love Christine. If I can manage to drive a car, there must be some way I can overcome my habit of talking at people...and I CAN be together with Christine! There's GOT to be a way for us!"

Just then, the lights went down. Everyone quieted down as the orchestra began to tune their instruments. Afterwards, all was quiet for a bit. Then the orchestra began to play the overture. Lights came up in the stage as the curtains opened to reveal a dazzling set of the setting of ancient Egypt. All the performers sang strongly and proudly as they sang the story.

It wasn't long before it was time for Christine to come on. She looked so beautiful, but also kind of pale. She tried to look relaxed and in character, but it wasn't easy. Then she began to sing an aria in her gorgeous soprano voice. Everyone was enamored by her singing and amazed at how well this young singer was doing in a lead role of an opera.

Suddenly, halfway through Christine's song, all the lights in the theater went out! Then screams filled the air as the stage was engulfed in a blood red light which gave off an unearthly glow...and a black mist appeared on stage and took form...right behind Christine! Police officers and soldiers were trying to fight their way to the mist, but they were all held back by some unseen force...which also was holding back all the Digimon!

Christine spun around just in time to see the black figure of a cloaked being with glowing, blue eyes! Her heart jumped up into her throat, and she cried out as the figure opened its cloak and whipped it around her! More screams and frightened cries erupted as the theater became pitch black again in an instant.

Finally, all the lights came back on, and for a short moment, there was relief. But then, great panic erupted from everyone as they looked at the stage...Christine was gone!